Bailey, Alexander Disagree on Size Being a Factor

By Jake Donovan

From the moment they began talking about the possibility of one day meeting in the ring, Randall Bailey and Devon Alexander have disagreed on seemingly every mentioned subject. The two will finally settle their differences tonight as Bailey makes the first defense of his welterweight belt.

Among the many subjects argued between the two camps is whether or not size will play a factor in this weekend's clash, which is part of a Showtime-televised quadruple header live from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY.

Both fighters are former 140 lb. titlists, but Bailey has been entrenched in the welterweight division for the past three years. Everlasting punching power has been the key to his success seven pounds north. A dramatic come-from-behind 11th round knockout of previously unbeaten Mike Jones thispat June netted Bailey the very alphabet title on the line for this weekend's fight.

Alexander has only recently joined the welterweight ranks. His lone appearance at the weight was a dominant points win earlier this year over Marcos Maidana, yet another former 140 lb. titlist moving up in weight.

"Devon is not the same size as Mike Jones," Bailey states, even if pointing out the obvious. "They have Mike Jones listed as 6’0”. He has to be at least 6’1 ½” or 6’2”. Devon is smaller than me. He won’t be hard to find."

Naturally, Alexander envisions a far different outcome.

"I don’t see why size matters in boxing," Alexander rhetorically asks. "Cotto was smaller than (Bailey). Urango was smaller than (Bailey) too. You saw what happened (Note: Bailey was stopped in both fights). I can be two-feet tall and still come in there and win the fight.

"I don’t understand what he’s trying to say and what he’s trying to come with. Like everyone knows, I was struggling to make 140. Now at 147, I have all of my power. I have my legs. It’s going to be trouble for anyone at 147."

The bout will mark Alexander's first title fight appearance since suffering the lone loss of his career, a technical decision to Tim Bradley in their 140 lb. title unifier last January.

Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of Boxingscene.com. Follow Jake on Twitter: @JakeNDaBox